Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is a powerfully effective anti-estrogen
officially classified as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
(SERM). In many ways, it is very similar to another popular SERM in Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate).
Clomid first gained worldwide attention in the early 1970’s as a strong
fertility aid and is still used for that purpose today. It is also one
of the most commonly used SERM’s by anabolic steroid users. No, it is not an anabolicsteroid but can be used to combat estrogenic side effects sometimes caused by anabolic steroids. It can also be used as a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) medication in order to stimulate suppressed testosterone production due to anabolic steroid use. PCT use of Clomid is the most common purpose and most beneficial point of use for the anabolic steroid user.

Clomid Functions & Traits:

Clomiphene Citrate is a SERM that is specifically used as a fertility
aid due to its ability to enhance the release of gonadotropins. Clomid
has the ability to oppose the negative feedback of estrogens
on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian-Axis. This will increase the
release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone
(FSH) significantly. By increasing gonadotropin release, this can lead
to the egg being released, thereby increasing the chance of conception.

Clomid also carries strong anti-estrogen properties that could be
used therapeutically, but its anti-estrogen properties are most commonly
associated with anabolic steroid use. Testosterone and many
testosterone derived steroids have the ability to convert to estrogen through testosterone’s interaction with the aromatase enzyme. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia
and excess water retention. Heavy water retention can also promote high
blood pressure. By supplementing with Clomid during anabolic steroid
use, the SERM will bind to the estrogen receptors, therefore inhibiting
the estrogen hormone from binding. This can be very useful in combating
gynecomastia, as when Clomid binds to the receptor it prevents estrogen
from stimulating the mammary tissue. It can also have a positive impact
on water retention, but as it won’t actively reduce serum estrogen
levels it’s sometimes not enough.

Clomid also possess functioning traits that are beneficial to the
anabolic steroid user post anabolic steroid use. Specifically we’re
referring to Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). In men, Clomid also has the
ability to stimulate the pituitary to release more LH and FSH, which
will in turn stimulate enhanced natural testosterone production. This is
extremely beneficial to the anabolic steroid user post cycle as natural
testosterone levels will be very low due to suppression caused by anabolic steroid use.

Effects of Clomid:

In a therapeutic setting as a fertility aid, the effects of Clomid
are simple. The woman is having difficulty becoming pregnant, Clomid
enhances the chance of conception and pregnancy occurs. It doesn’t
always work and we’ll look at the process in the administration section,
but it will greatly increase the odds of conception and is fairly
successful.

As an anti-estrogen for on cycle steroid use, Clomid is fairly
effective at staving off gynecomastia. It will not reduce estrogen
levels or inhibit the aromatization process, but in many cases, binding
to the receptors is enough protection for many men. In fact, while there
are stronger protective agents, many men would be surprised as to how
well a SERM like Clomid can work if they would give it a chance. More
importantly, when using Clomid for this purpose it can also have a
positive impact on cholesterol levels. While an anti-estrogen, Clomid
actually acts as estrogen in the liver, which in turn will promote
healthier cholesterol levels. This can be very beneficial to the
anabolic steroid user as anabolic steroid use is notorious for promoting
unhealthy cholesterol levels.

For many men, especially hardcore anabolic steroid users, Clomid is not enough for estrogenic protection. In this case, an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) like Arimidex (Anastrozole) or Femara (Letrozole)
will be needed. AI’s actively inhibit the aromatase process and will
see serum estrogen levels reduced. By far they are the most effective at
combating gynecomastia and will have more success in combating water
retention. In fact, SERM’s like Clomid often do very little to combat
water retention. However, in many cases, many performance athletes would
do a better job controlling water retention if they did a better job
controlling their diet. In off-season bulking plans this requires excess
calories to grow. However, many take it too far, especially
carbohydrate consumptions, and this will cause you to hold water with or
without anabolic steroid use. Add in aromatizing steroids to the
equation and water retention will be even greater. Further, AI’s while
effective will have a negative impact on cholesterol, which leads us to
only one sane conclusion. Control your diet and if you can control
gynecomastia with a SERM like Clomid it should be your first choice.

Then we’re left with the effects of Clomid as they pertain to PCT. When we supplement
with anabolic steroids, this will suppress natural testosterone
production. The rate of suppression will be dependent on the steroids
being used and to a degree the total dosing, but it will generally be
substantial. For this reason, most men will always include exogenous
testosterone in their steroid cycles. In fact, it’s not uncommon for it
to be the only steroid used. This will protect the individual from a low testosterone
condition while on cycle. Unfortunately, once steroid use comes to an
end natural testosterone levels will be very low. Natural testosterone
production will begin again on its own, but it will take a significant
amount of time for levels to reach their previous high state. In fact,
total recovery can take months to even a year. Further, natural
testosterone recovery is dependent on no prior low testosterone
condition existing and assumes that no severe damage was done to the
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) through improper anabolic
steroid use.

Due to natural testosterone levels being low post cycle, most men are
encouraged to implement a PCT program. This will stimulate natural
testosterone production greatly and shorten the total recovery time. It
will not return your levels to normal on its own; there is no PCT plan
on earth that can do this. However, a solid PCT plan will ensure you
have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels
continue to naturally rise. Clomid is an excellent choice for this
purpose and one of the most commonly used PCT medications. Highly
successful PCT programs will often include Clomid and Nolvadex as well
as the powerful peptide hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin).

Those who forgo Clomid therapy post cycle or any type of PCT plan and
are going to be off cycle for an extended period of time will rest in a
low testosterone condition for an extended period of time. Not only is
this an extremely unhealthy state, it can come with all the traditional
low testosterone symptoms. Many will find cortisol levels greatly
increase as testosterone levels are low, and as a result, body fat
levels go up and strength and muscle mass decrease. If you’re going to
be off cycle for an extended period of time, 8 weeks or more there is no
reason for forgoing a PCT program. If you are going to be off cycle for
less than 8 weeks or bridging with a low dose of exogenous
testosterone, which is very common in hardcore bodybuilding circles, this is the only time a PCT would be counterproductive.

Side Effects of Clomid:

Clomid is one of the most well-tolerated SERM’s and anti-estrogens on
the market, and this applies to both men and women. While it carries a
very high threshold of toleration, side effects of Clomid do exist and
are possible. However, “possible” is the key word and a very important
one. Anytime anabolic steroids are discussed as well as non-steroidal
items used by anabolic steroid users, many seem to enjoy implying side
effects are assured. This is not the case; in fact, most should be able
to use Clomid side effect free.

When it comes to the possible side effects of Clomid, we will find
most are fairly rare. Some women who have used the SERM as a fertility
aid have experienced ovarian enlargement, but again this is very rare.
Other possible side effects of Clomid use include:

Headaches

Nausea

Hot Flashes

Uterine Bleeding (extremely rare)

Breast Discomfort

The side effects of Clomid are also well noted for including possible
visual disturbances. Data shows that approximately 1.5% of all those
who use Clomid may experience some type of visual disturbance normally
in the form of blurred or hazy vision. If this occurs, use should be
discontinued and alternative medications should be examined. In most all
cases, once use is discontinued vision will shortly return to normal.
However, there have been a few reported cases over the years of visual
disturbances that did not remedy post discontinuation. Normally, such
cases have been linked to long term and extremely high dose use. Again,
if visual disturbances occur, discontinue use immediately and choose
another SERM to meet your needs.

A final note on the side effects of Clomid, some may experience acne.
This appears to be most common when the SERM is used as part of a PCT
program. In this case, it’s not really the SERM that’s causing the issue
but rather the high influx of natural testosterone that is now being
produced. Most should not have an issue, but those who are already
genetically sensitive to acne may find a few pimples appear on their
back, shoulders or chest.

Clomid Administration:

For the purpose of fertility aid, Clomid doses will normally be at
50mg per day. The process is very simple; five days into the menstrual
cycle a daily 50mg dose is administered every day once a day for five
straight days. If this doesn’t result in conception, the dose is
sometimes increased to 100mg per day. This cycle will be repeated 5-6
times over the course of the woman’s menstrual cycles until pregnant. If
conception does not occur after 5-6 cycles of therapy, alternative
treatments will need to be examined.

For the anabolic steroid user, standard Clomid doses for on cycle
estrogenic protection will normally be 50mg per day throughout the
duration of the cycle. If this doesn’t do the trick it’s unlikely any
amount of Clomid will work. If this does not provide the protection you
need, keep in mind many have reported greater success with the SERM
Nolvadex for on cycle protection. However, you may very well need an AI
like Arimidex.

Then we’re left with PCT Clomid use. Standard PCT Clomid doses will
normally start at 100-150mg per day for 1-2 weeks. From here the dose
will drop to 50-100mg per day for 1-2 weeks and finish with 1-2 weeks at
50mg per day. Total Clomid therapy should last 4-6 weeks, so dosing
should be based and considered on that total schedule. Most will also be
far more successful in their PCT recovery by including Nolvadex and
HCG. Timing is also important when planning your Clomid PCT use, and
this timing factor will vary depending on the inclusion of HCG:

If your cycle ends with any large ester base anabolic steroids, you will begin Clomid 2 weeks after your last injection.

If your cycle ends with all small ester base anabolic steroids, you will begin your Clomid 3 days after your last injection.

If your cycle ends with any large ester base anabolic steroids, you
will begin HCG ten days after your last injection and begin Clomid after
HCG therapy is complete.

If your cycle ends with all small ester base anabolic steroids, you
will begin HCG 3 days after your last injection and begin Clomid after
HCG therapy is complete.

Availability of Clomid:

Clomid is available worldwide on both the pharmaceutical and black markets.
This is a very easy item to purchase, very affordable and should not be
hard to find. In the U.S. it is not a controlled substance, but you
will need a prescription to legally buy it. The exception would be a
purchase through a research chemical lab (RCL). Numerous RCL’s have
popped up over the years providing SERM’s, AI’s, peptides and a host of
other items that are not controlled yet require a prescription. By
providing such items in their liquid state and for research only,
individuals can legally buy them without a prescription. It’s definitely
a loophole in the law and it’s one that may not always be there, but it
is for now. It is important, however, that you understand the purchase
must be for research only. If law enforcement chose to make an issue
over it and could prove your purchase was not for research you might
find yourself in hot water. Beyond RCL’s, prescription Clomid is not too
difficult to get and most black market steroid suppliers carry the SERM. However, if you make a purchase from a steroid supplier, even if you’re not actually buying steroids you will be breaking the law.